I Can Trust In Jesus

Host

Welcome to Summer To The Max at the Movies! This week is Finding Nemo week.

Co-host

I love that movie because it’s so cool to explore the depths of the ocean, but there’s a scene that I remember well. Do you guys remember Bruce the shark? What phrase did he constantly say to himself?

Host

Yes, “Fish are friends, not food.” But did Marlin trust that this shark would keep his word? Not really, and he found out he was right to be nervous around Bruce. Let’s play a quick game in which fish are definitely food, not friends.

Co-host

This game is called “Sharks and Clown Fish.” In this game, you must cross from one side of the stage to the other. At some point, we’re going to yell, “Shark Attack!”

Host

That’s when the sharks will tag the fish. Here’s the catch: we won’t tell you who the sharks are. So you won’t know who to trust.

Co-host

See if you can make it all the way across to safety.

Host

Was it easier to play once you knew which kids were the sharks? It helps to know the truth about people. That has something to do with our Big Point. We need everyone to help us count down from three, and then we’ll read the Big Point.

Co-host

Let’s all say it together, I Can Trust In Jesus! Trusting Jesus means placing your faith in Jesus. Faith is simply believing that Jesus is who He says He is and can do what He’s promised to do.

Host

It’s easier to trust Jesus when you know who Jesus is. We get to know Jesus better when we spend time with Him in prayer and read the Bible. As we do those things, we learn what to expect from Jesus. I’ll give you a hint. Jesus gives really good stuff.

Host

It seemed like Marlin might not make it to rescue Nemo, but ultimately, he didn’t give up. Marlin believed that he and Dory would make it to Sydney and find that fish.

Co-host

Faith helps us not give up when following Jesus. Just like Marlin and Dory’s trip was filled with challenges, we’ll face difficult things in life.

Host

Knowing our Big Point helps us to keep going and growing. What Jesus has said in the Bible is true, and we can count on it. Let’s say the Big Point again together,

Host

I Can Trust in Jesus!

Co-host

Let’s see what the Bible says about faith. We need everyone to count down from three, and then we’ll read the verse.

Host

Hebrews 11:1 (NIrV), “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” Have you ever studied the different ocean zones in school? It really changes as you go deeper. Let’s build our own model of the ocean. We’ll begin with the deepest part, the trench.

Co-host

There, it’s so deep that people can’t see anything. Remember the scene where Marlin and Dory run into the angler fish with the light?

Host

The next zone is the abyss. (Pour in the purple dish soap using a funnel) Again, it’s super dark in this part of the ocean because so much ocean is blocking out the sun.

Co-host

Above that is the midnight zone. (Pour in the dark green water using a funnel) We get more light here, but not that much, as you can see. After all, it’s named after midnight.

Host

Next, things start to brighten a bit in the twilight zone. (Pour in the blue oil) If you’re here, you can see more.

Co-host

But the best visibility is found in the sunlight zone. (Pour in the light blue rubbing alcohol) The water is close enough to the sun to allow you to see all around.

Host

You might think that the only way to have faith is if you could see God with your own eyes. (Point to the sunlight zone) The Bible teaches us that we can have faith in Jesus, even if we can’t see Him. (Point to the trench zone) That’s because our faith isn’t based on what we see. It’s based on the truths that we know about Jesus. It’s based on what we’ve seen Jesus do in the past, knowing He can do it again.

Co-host

If Jesus has said it, we can count on it happening. Our trust isn’t blind trust, though. It’s trust that’s built on what God has done for thousands and thousands of years. It’s based on the true stories of the Bible that show how He has always kept His word. Let’s see how Peter put his faith to work.

Host

Peter trusted in Jesus, even though Jesus had gone back to Heaven. He couldn’t see Him, and neither could the crowd that heard Peter preach. But they believed, too. They saw God and work and knew that Peter’s message was true. Today would be the perfect day for you to put your trust in Jesus.

If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you have already said “Yes” to Jesus, you believe that He is alive, and you are His friend and follower, give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you’ve never said “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say “Yes” to Him right now, ask Him to forgive you, and tell Him you want to live your life differently, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 

Dear God, I know everyone needs a Savior, and I know I can’t save myself. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and God raised You from the dead.

Right now, I say you are my Lord, my Savior, and the One who forgives me. Thank you, Jesus, that You are my best friend and leader of my life, because I’ve said “Yes” to You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, then I want you to share that good news with someone. When we break into Small Groups, you can join a special Small Group just for kids who said “Yes” for the first time. Look for the special sign as we break later.

Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.

Co-host

Growing as a friend and follower of Jesus happens only when you believe in Jesus and trust that His words are the truth.

Host

That brings us to this week’s Big Do.

Host

Use building block toys to build the tallest tower you can create. Be sure to build a strong bottom, or else your tower might fall.

Co-host

That strong bottom or foundation is like our faith. It’s what we’ll build on for the rest of the summer.

Host

Let’s connect in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.

• Is it ever hard for you to believe something you can’t see for yourself? How do we know we can trust in Jesus even though we can’t see Him? We know in the Bible that He did good things for people. We can read what Jesus said about Himself. We can listen to other people’s experiences following Jesus. We can remember the things that Jesus has done for us in the past.

• Why is it important to have strong faith? Our faith and trust in Jesus is where our relationship with Him begins. To be strong Christians, the first step is to say “Yes” to Jesus. Then, follow Him as our leader so we can grow and develop into what He wants us to be. When our faith in Jesus is strong, we can live a strong Christian life.